Rory McIlroy will attempt to recover from a disappointing start to the 2026 Open Championship when he tees off in the second round at Royal Birkdale on Friday, July 17. After a first round that saw him finish at two-over par, the Northern Irishman is tied for 85th place and faces a seven-stroke deficit to leader Jackson Suber.
McIlroy's Challenging First Round
Poor putting proved costly for McIlroy as he struggled with high winds and sun-baked greens at the Southport links. His erratic play left him with a mountain to climb if he is to secure his second major title of 2026. The world number three had previously won the PGA Championship earlier this season.
Tee Time and Playing Partners
McIlroy is scheduled to begin his second round at 10:09am BST. He will play alongside Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, the same trio from Thursday's opening round. The group will be among the later starters on day two.
Full Day Two Tee Times
The first group of the day tees off at 6:35am BST, featuring John Parry, Eric Cole, and Tiger Christensen. Notable pairings include Shane Lowry with Aaron Rai and Brooks Koepka at 9:47am, and Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm at 3:15pm. Defending champion Brian Harman plays at 3:26pm with Si Woo Kim and Nick Taylor.
Leaderboard Situation
Jackson Suber holds a commanding lead after a stellar opening round. McIlroy will need a low score to make the cut and contend over the weekend. The cut line is projected to fall around even par, meaning McIlroy likely needs a round in the 60s to advance.
How to Watch
All four days of the Open are broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 6:30am BST on Friday.
